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Thread: Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

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    Default Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

    Hi all,

    I know there is probably plenty of threads 'bout this. I'm looking to buy the best possible 30 watt(ish) acoustic amplifier.
    Look forward hearing from everyone.

    Ed

  2. #2
    Destroyer of Mandolins
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    Default Re: Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

    The Roland line gets very high marks around here. Can you give us a little more to go on? Best 30-ish watt is a pretty broad description. Do you have a price range? Need certain special features like phantom power or running on batteries?
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    Default Re: Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

    Less than $500, line-out, wall powered (no batteries needed), two channels preferable, don't need effects.

  5. #4
    Destroyer of Mandolins
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    Default Re: Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

    Check out the Roland AC-33 and AC-60 as well as the Fishman Loudbox line. Musician's Friend has a used Fishman Soloamp available at the moment. Lots of users around here and very popular choices. Most amps are going to be more than 30 watts, but that's not really a bad thing. You can always turn it down but they only go to 11.
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    Default Re: Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

    http://www.music123.com/amplifiers-e...itar-combo-amp

    I own the Acoustic 30 watts shown in the link above. It sound sweet for acoustic guitar and mandolin. I bought it simply because it was on sale (20% off).
    It has built in effects too, two channel inputs, plus MP3 input and one output (to be connected to the main PA system when playing in a large gig).

    I also own this one:
    http://www.music123.com/amplifiers-e...stic-combo-amp

    It's great for small gigs, but it is quite loud. I use it more often because it is light and powerful (15 watts sounding like 30 watts). I only set the volume to 2.5 / 10 in a room containing 60 people, and it sounds really loud.
    It has one instrument input and one mic input, MP3 input, no output.

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    Registered User David Rambo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

    I've heard good things about AER. Most of their models are higher priced, but they have the "AER Alpha 40W 1x8 Acoustic Guitar Combo Amp" that goes for about $900. Possibly a better model can be found on E-bay.
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    Default Re: Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Ed Fowler View Post
    Less than $500, line-out, wall powered (no batteries needed), two channels preferable, don't need effects.
    Ed, I play through a Baggs Para DI and into a Roland CUBE40XL when I'm not going XLR from the Baggs directly into the PA. I use the Roland's JC Clean channel and roll the mids back (to 9:00). I think it sounds great (and has effects & an on-board looper). However, it only has one channel.

    The Kustom Sienna 30 has all the features you are looking for and it sounds remarkably good for $150 IMO (NFI)
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    Default Re: Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

    AC 60 is 30 + 30, and right at $500 . mine seems fine..
    2channels mic with phantom , XLR or 1/4: TRS input .

    and 1/4" instrument with a magnetic or piezo source switch.

    EFX loop RCA for amplifying the CD player and all that .
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    its a very very long song Jim's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

    I also own this one:
    http://www.music123.com/amplifiers-e...stic-combo-amp

    It's great for small gigs, but it is quite loud. I use it more often because it is light and powerful (15 watts sounding like 30 watts). I only set the volume to 2.5 / 10 in a room containing 60 people, and it sounds really loud.
    It has one instrument input and one mic input, MP3 input, no output.
    I have one of these too and it is quite loud for its size & weight
    Jim Richmond

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    Registered User Terry Allan Hall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

    If you can find the (apparently discontinued) Lunchbox Acoustic, they sound fantastic for violin and mandolin, and are literally about the size of a lunchbox.



    http://www.ztamplifiers.com/products..._acoustic.html

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    Registered User Terry Allan Hall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Ed Goist View Post

    The Kustom Sienna 30 has all the features you are looking for and it sounds remarkably good for $150 IMO (NFI)
    Used to have it's 65-watt big brother...sounded great, but was pretty heavy!

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    Default Re: Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

    I have an older UltraSound with two channels, I can run my mandolin through one channel and gitjo through the other. The notch filter is great at dialing out the feedback on both instruments. I think the newer models have an XLR for vocals but those models might be out of your price.

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    Default Re: Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

    Best possible? Definitions may vary, but the AER Alpha is a great sounding compact amp.

    There are many more options, at various prices. Some of the lower cost ones can also perform very well. Others don't.
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  18. #14

    Default Re: Is this the one you are talking about:

    Hey Terry A. Hall:
    Are you talking about this one, the Jr., is this a current model or the possibly discontinued model you are talking about?
    Thanks.
    Claudia

  19. #15

    Default Re: Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZT-Amplifier...item3a83ce06af

    This is the link I was talking about....

  20. #16
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    Default Re: Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

    I bought a Fishman similar to this one, and it's just fine.

    http://www.gryphonstrings.com/instpix/38502/index.php
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    Default Re: Best 30 watt(ish) Acoustic Amp for Mandolin

    Acoustic image but they are very pricy.
    John

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